Ponder the Text: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28, KJV

Prompt for Thought: If God had placed a block on your path, could it be God is trying to re-direct you?

Prayer for the Journey: God, thank you for going above and beyond when it comes to hearing your voice and knowing your will. Thank you for getting us back on track even when we choose wrong versus right or good versus best. Thank you for always making things work out for our good. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” -Isaiah 41:13

Prompt for Thought: Where do you need God’s help? What’s stopping you from asking?

Prayer for the Journey: God, we are conditioned to be independent from you. We have been doing it since the Garden of Eden. Help us remember that you care about us, all of us, and all the things that concern each of us. The little things mean much to you because they matter to us, your beloved creations. Help us to ask for help when we need it. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. -1 John 4:1, NLT

Prompt for Thought: Where are you replacing love with religion?

Prayer for the Journey: God when we as Christians forget to love, please lead us back on the pathway of Love. Remind us that the greatest call on our life is to love God, neighbor, and self. Without love, we cannot imitate Christ. Please don’t let us forget this. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ponder the Text: In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves. -Psalms 127:2

Prompt for Thought: Would the world stop if you stopped?

Prayer for the Journey: God, please help us to rest when we need it. You rested, so we need rest. Help us to remember that the world does not keep turning because we keep going. You’ve got the whole world in your hand and you’ve got us in your hand too. Help us to rest in your arms when we need to. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. -Matthew 21:22 ESV

Prompt for Thought: Where do you need to surrender to God?

Prayer for the Journey: God, please help us when we try to do everything without you. Please remind us that your love includes your presence and your provision. Thank you for the times you answered after we’ve done it on our own and cried out to you. Thank you for the times you protected us after we did it on our own and never asked for your help. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. -Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV

Prompt for Thought: How is God asking you to be faithful?

Prayer for the Journey: God, as we begin this year, help us to be faithful, no matter the obstacles we face. Remind us that you will never leave us nor forsake us. Don’t let us forget that our faithfulness is rooted in our ability to trust your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. -1 John 4:16, NIV

Prompt for Thought: How much of God’s love are you allowing in your life?

Prayer for the Journey: God, help us to become more and more aware of your love in our lives each day. Help us to remember that you loved us so much that you came to dwell among us. Help us to see your love and be your love in this world. Help us to believe in your love no matter what. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Ponder the Text: Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you. -Isaiah 12:6, NIV

Prompt for Thought: What brings you joy? Go do it now.

Prayer for the Journey: God as we celebrate the gift of your presence through the birth of Jesus, please do let us look past the joy of your gift, Immauel, God with us. Don’t let programming and the busyness of the season take away our joy. Help us to experience pure joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. -Romans 12:18

Prompt for Thought: What has caused you to run away from peace? What can you do to run back towards peace?

Prayer for the Journey: God, the world is anything but peaceful. We humans seem bent on running away from world peace. Please help us to remember that the only way to create peace is to begin within. Help us to run towards inner peace that permeates our entire world. Help us to feel your love to the point where all we know to do is be at peace and create peace wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11

Prompt for Thought: What is the one thing you have given up hope on that God is saying there is still hope? 

Prayer for the Journey: God, sometimes, we get ahead of you and decide how things are going to turn out in our lives. When we make those rash decisions, please renew our hope and faith in you. Please help us remember that it is not over until God says it’s over. When our hope dies, please light our candles again, and keep us on the pathway towards you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: In that day of peace, battle gear will no longer be issued. Never again will uniforms be bloodstained by war. All such equipment will be burned. -Isaiah 9:5, NLT

Prompt for Thought: What is God telling you to do to create peace in this world today?

Prayer for the Journey: God, we have forgotten what you told us. You told us to love you and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Perhaps we don’t love ourselves enough because we don’t love you enough. Perhaps we don’t believe it is possible to love our neighbor. Perhaps we just don’t trust you enough to do what you ask. Whatever our issues God, please have mercy on our souls. Please don’t give up on us, even when we give up on ourselves and each other. Please help us to do the one thing you asked us to do, LOVE. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ponder the Text: The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. -Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV

Prompt for Thought: What grain of sand do you need God to help turn into a pearl?

Prayer for the Journey: God, we know that life is not always easy. However, we trust your love, even when we don’t always see what you see. Thank you for keeping us in our pain and grief. Thank you for helping us to create pearls from our grains of sand. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text:  O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. -Psalm 63:1, ESV

Prompt for Thought: What is your favorite way to worship God? Go do it now. 

Prayer for the Journey: God, may we never make an excuse when it comes to worshiping you. When we lift our voices, our hands, and our lives to you, hear us God. May our worship and our lives always be pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. -Psalm 139:4, NLT

Prompt for Thought: Is there something you’ve been trying to hide from God? What would happen if you trusted God’s love enough to say it all?

Prayer for the Journey: God, we humans are in a habit of trying to hide from you. This is especially the case when we make mistakes. We have been doing it since the days in the Garden. Please help us to remember that nothing is hidden from you and yet you still love us. You know what we are going to say, even the stuff we shouldn’t say, yet you still love us. Help us to rest in the knowledge that no matter what, you still see us as the apples of your eye. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” -John 4:39

Prompt for Thought: What’s your story? Who have you told about Christ lately?

Prayer for the Journey: God, please don’t let us keep your love, grace, and mercy all to ourselves. Compel us to share our stories, even when they are hard to tell, especially when they are hard to tell. God, help us to listen to other people’s stories with the same love that you listen to ours. Help us to always see you in our story and see ourselves in your story. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. -Hebrew 11:1, KJV

Prompt for Thought: Where are you letting a limitation limit God? What is God saying to you about it?

Prayer for the Journey: God, as humans, we face big things sometimes. When that happens, we can focus on the giant, or we can focus on you. Help us always to focus on you. Adjust our vision to see things through your eyes. Help our holy vision. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: Be still, and know that I am God. -Psalm 46:10a

Prompt for Thought: Where can you find the time and space to be still and silent and know the experience of God?

Prayer for the Journey: Dear God, when the noise of our lives, whether external or internal, clouds our ability to hear from you, please pull us into the abyss of the sound of your voice. Help us to hear you with the ears of our hearts. Help us to trust the still small voice that beckons us to be all that you’ve created us to be. Help us to rest in the revelation of your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Ponder the Text: But few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42, NIV

Prompt for Thought: As you go about your life, ask yourself as often as you can, “How can I see God in this moment or in the eyes of this person?”

Prayer for the Journey: God, as we go about our busy lives, please don’t let us miss you. Give us as many Mary moments as possible. Open our eyes to the many ways you show up in this world. Help us to see everyone and everything in new ways as a testament to your omnipresence in this world. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. -Corinthians 13:13

Prompt for Thought: Is there someone who touched your life or your community in a way that wholly demonstrated holy love? How can you honor that person’s legacy through your own life? 

Prayer for the Journey: God give us the desire and the opportunities to demonstrate your love in as many ways as possible in this world. Where do you need us to show up and what do you need us to do? Help us to be your hands, feet, and heart in this world. Help us to be wholly about your holy love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ponder the Text: I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” -Matthew 19:24, NLT

Prompt for Thought: What gets in the way of full commitment to God? Is it money or something else?

Prayer for the Journey: God, whether we are wealthy or not, please don’t let us off the hook when it comes to fully committing to you. Whether it’s money, ego, or something else, please help us to see our way clear to heaven, your reign on earth. Help us to reach out to you when the way gets cloudy. Please lead us to the way everlasting. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11 

Prompt for Thought: Where are you guilty of selling yourself short? How does Jeremiah 29:11 change that view?

Prayer for the Journey: God, when society tries to lock us into one way of being loved, accepted, and blessed, please remind us that you created us all to be unique. God, help us to see our current blessings as blessings, without comparison. God, help us to nurture the grass we have and to see it just as green as others. God, thank you for creating us fearfully and wonderfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ponder the Text: But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” -2 Chronicles 15:7, NLT

Prompt for Thought: Are you about to give up? If you believe that you will not fail because God cannot fail, what would be your next move? If this message is not for you, who needs to hear it? Contact that person today. 

Prayer for the Journey: God, please be with the person reading this prayer. Whisper in their ear, flood their mind, and capture their heart with the truth of your word that never fails. When they think it’s too hard, hemmed them in with your everlasting strength. When they think to give up, imbue them with your enduring love. God, when they think it is impossible, remind them that with you all things are possible to the one who believes. Strengthen their belief, intensity their hope, and magnify their faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? -Matthew 6:26-27, NLT

Prompt for Thought: Where are worrying where you simply need to be working? Give it over to God in prayer and trust. 

Prayer for the Journey: God, while we try our best to live lives of faith, we must admit that at times worry takes over our work. Help us to see our lives through your eyes. Help us to live into the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:26-27 when he tells us to take note of how the birds live. They work at building their lives but they don’t worry about provision. They trust that all they need will be there when we need it. Help us to do the same. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ponder the Text: God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. -Matthew 5:9, NLT

Prompt for Thought: Where in your life is God calling you to be a peacemaker? How can you rely upon God and others to work for peace?

Prayer for the Journey: God, you have called all of us to be peacemakers. God, please help us in our attempts to work for peace, both personal and societal. When our egos and reputations get in the way, remind us of the humble pathway of Jesus. When sins such as discrimination color our world, please help those who hear your call, to be brave to do the work of peace. When our confidence fails, please remind us that we don’t do this work alone. We can depend on each other when we put our minds to it. When we depend on you, we can never fail. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ponder the Text: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. -Psalm 139:14

Prompt for Thought: Take a look in the mirror. Really look. Take your time. After you have noticed everything, say to yourself, “I am beautiful!” How did it feel? Was it hard? Was it easy? Why?

Prayer for the Journey: God, forgive us when we reject your beauty, which is found in all of us. Help us to move past society’s definitions and to see what you see in all of your creation. God, help us to see that beauty in ourselves as an expression of your image and likeness. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: She went out and said to her mother, what shall I ask for? “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered Mark 6:24. 

Prompt for Thought: Where is your sore spot when it comes to forgiveness? Consider writing a letter or an email, even if you don’t send it. Consider praying for the offender, even if you simply ask God to bless the person. Ask God for help every step of the way. 

Prayer for the Journey: God, forgiveness is sometimes hard, but you specialize in hard things. When the way of forgiveness seems like a difficult pathway, help us to walk the right way. Also, when we struggle with forgiving ourselves, remind us that your Son died and rose, which means all is forgiven. Forgiveness is in your hands, you simply ask us to agree with you and open our hearts to your healing work. Help us to do it, even when we think we can’t. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night. But even in darkness, I cannot hide from you. To you, the night shines as bright as today. Darkness and light are the same to you.” -Psalm 139:11-12. 

Prompt for Thought: Look back over your life, what are some of the significant places where God met you whether it was in the light times or the dark times? Write a prayer of thanksgiving for all those times.

Prayer for the Journey: God, as Psalm 139:11-12 states, light and dark are the same to you. You are the true Light of the World. We are grateful that you are with us no matter what. We simply ask that when we forget this, you remind us of your presence in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: “A blessing is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes. Its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. -Jeremiah 17:7-8

Prompt for Thought: Despite where you are planted, even if you were expecting to be there, how can you be a blessing? How can you bloom where you are planted?

Prayer for the Journey: God, thank you God for calling us according to your purpose. While we are grateful, sometimes it means you change our plans and take us to unexpected places. When this happens, please help us to trust your will, plan, and purpose for our lives. Help us to be the people you have called us to be and do what you have called us to do when and where you called us to do those things. God, thank you for helping us to bloom no matter where we are planted. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: If God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. -Matthew 6:30, NLT

Prompt for Thought: Think of an area where you are trying to do things for yourself instead of allowing God to take care of you. 

Prayer for the Journey: God, we admit it. Sometimes, we forget to allow you to be God all by yourself. In those times, gently tap us on the shoulders to remind us that you care deeply for everything that concerns us. Continue to be patient with us as we learn what’s our part versus yours. Please always give us the strength, trust, and faith to stay in our lane - especially when we think we know best. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ponder the Text: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. -Matthew 6:33, NLT

Prompt for Thought: What lost thing do you need God’s help finding? 

Prayer for the Journey: God, we ask for your forgiveness when we lose the things you so freely give - patience, love, joy, faith. We ask for your help in finding those things again in our lives. Help us to remember that you are always ready, willing, and able to help us retrieve what was lost. Help us to lean on you and not ourselves as we strive to embody and emanate the light of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ponder the Text: “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. -John 1:46

Prompt for Thought: Are you truly letting God determine your worth or is it rooted in what you can do for yourself or others?

Prayer for the Journey: God, please help us to see our worth through your eyes. When the world tries to grab hold of our self-worth, please remind us that we are created in your image and likeness as fearfully and wonderfully made. When we use worldly standards to determine the worth of others, please convict and forgive us. When we forget that we are creations of a loving Creator, remind us of who we are. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: Love your neighbor as yourself. -Mark 12:31, NLT

Prompt for Thought: How does the way you live your life reflect your walk with Christ?

Prayer for the Journey: God, you have called us to be your ambassadors. We ask that you help us to live our lives in such a way that it reflects your love, grace, and mercy. Help us to look like your children in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Please help us to truly be good neighbors to all - whether they are far or near, are believers or not, or are neighborly towards us or not. When we struggle to bear witness to our walk with you, help us to remember that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength! -Nehemiah 8:10b, NLT 

Prompt for Thought: What is stealing your joy and how can you take it back?

Prayer for the Journey: God, please forgive us for the times when we traded our joy for something not worth it. Please help us to see that while there is a time for weeping, there is also a time for joy. When we focus on all that is wrong in life, please help us to focus on all that is good in life. God, please always remind us that you are the center of our joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ponder the Text: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, NLT

Prompt for Thought: What gifts are you taking for granted? What gifts are you hiding because you don’t feel they are important? What comparisons do you keep making? What gifts is God asking you to share?

Prayer for the Journey: God we thank you for every gift that you have given us. Continue to bless us with the wisdom and the humility to use them as you see fit. When we fall into the sin of comparison, please rescue and redeem us. When we allow fear and other distractions to prevent us from using our gifts, please remind us that you are the gift and we are simply here to display what you have given us. Help us always to use our gifts to bring your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Ponder the Text: But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” -Matthew 19:14, NLT

Prompt for Thought: Where in your life has God given you an unexpected blessing from an unlikely source?

Prayer for the Journey: God thank you for miracles all around us. One of our greatest miracles is our children. They often teach us the blessing of childlike faith. May you teach and grant us the grace to be like them. When we are called upon to bless others, please let us do it without hesitation. When you have chosen to bless us unexpectedly, let us not hesitate in recognizing your gift no matter the source of the gift from you.  Keep us humble. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Ponder the Text: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let

your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. -John 14:27

Prompt for Thought: Think back over the years of your life. Write down a few of your experiences, both good and challenging. How was God’s peace present in those moments?

Prayer for the Journey: Thank you God for being with us all these years. Thank you for the fact that you will continue to be with us in the years to come. We pray that we are always aware of your presence. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Ponder the Text: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. -Psalm 34:18-19 ESV 

Prompt for Thought: Where in your life has God mended your broken heart? What is something(s) that you learned from that experience that increased your knowledge of God’s ways or your faith in God?

Prayer for the Journey: God, we come to you thanking you for your abiding presence in our lives. When we find ourselves in a dark night of the soul, we ask that you are swift in calling our name and reminding us that your love never fails. Be with us always. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.